When I eat out I like going somewhere that serves food I can’t or won’t make for myself. Ribs smoked for hours with hickory shipped in from Minnesota are on that list.

Famous Dave’s is all about flavor: I started my Sunday lunch, so popular it still had a 25 minute wait at 2:30 in the afternoon, with a Cajun spiced flat bread served with smoked salmon ($7.49). The salmon had a strong smoky flavor that complimented the meat, blended with cream cheese. The grilled flat bread was a perfect fit with its own spices adding to the flavor deluge.

Ribs, ribs, ribs; this place is all about ribs. It’s a pine and flannel temple to the art of smoked meats! Famous Dave’s has a six hour smoking process with a proprietary dry rub made from celery seed and other ingredients. I tried six ribs both dry and St. Louis style-wet, served with Dave's award-winning Rich & Sassy saucy ($16.99). I like them both ways; I suggest you try both too.

When you’re at your normal Sunday temple you have many ways to worship: communion, tithe, singing and intellectual agreement with Truth. Dave’s is no different. They offer five different sauces: Rich & Sassy, Georgia Mustard, Texas Pit, Sweet & Zesty, Devil's Spit. My bent was toward the Georgia Mustard for something unexpected and the Devil’s Spit for the heat. There’s a roll of paper towels on each table in case the worship gets a little too jubilant and sauces start flyin’.

My guest ordered Texas Beef Brisket ($12.49) – just as tender and flavorful as the center of my attention. All meals have a choice of sides, and there are many. I tried the mashed sweet potatoes. They were a little more whipped than I prefer, but still good and reminded my guest of “Grandma’s kitchen”. You could save them

 for desert. The spiced apples were warm and surprisingly firm, and, thank God, not over spiced. The jalapeño Mac & Cheese was a nice turn on a staple. The added heat made them stand out from the crowd. The Garlic Red-Skin Mashed Potatoes are just another reason to postpone your diet until tomorrow.

All meals come with too-boiled corn on the cob, but still a nice change up after having gone without for six months, and a corn muffin. The Stapleton Famous Dave’s I visited serves about 3000 muffins per day. I find myself craving one now.

Desert was a delicious Bread Pudding served with a praline sauce and a Kahlua Brownie Sundae. After so much creativity it was nice to just have a rich, chocolaty brownie without jalapenos or other surprises. I tried the just-right size for $1.99 each. They offer a choice of three for $5.79. Dave’s also offers Key Lime Pie and Pecan Pie.

The décor is perfect for smoked meat seduction – something possibly from the north woods or a hunting cabin anywhere rural, but still clean. All walks of life clamor for flavor here, Suits and Workman alike come with their entourage. After four visits I found their servers well trained, knowledgeable and friendly.

There are five Famous Dave’s in Colorado. The closest locations to Denver are in Stapleton near 36th and Quebec and in Broomfield at the Colorado Hwy. 7 exit off I-25, by the Home Depot. They don’t take reservation but they do cater. More information is available at http://www.famousdaves.com/menu/

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